West Surrey Racing

West Surrey Racing have long been stalwarts of the BTCC since their introduction in 1996, and have since become one of the modern day’s most successful Independent touring car entries having claimed 20 outright wins and the overall title on one memorable occasion.

Originally founded in 1981, Dick Bennett’s squad started their racing life in single-seater motorsport, the New Zealander responsible for more than 70 race wins in Formula 3, masterminding the careers of drivers such as Mika Hakkinen, Jonathon Palmer, Mauricio Gugelmin, Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello, and a certain Ayrton Senna.

The team’s BTCC bow came with Ford in 1996, the first of four manufacturers the team would be involved with. That particular season was a baptism of fire, with Paul Radisich only able to claim a highest race result of fifth as WSR finished seventh overall. The team’s improved Mondeo again finishing seventh overall in 1997 before the late Will Hoy claimed a superb maiden win at Silverstone the following year on his way to a top 10 championship finish.

The team switched backing to Honda for the following two seasons in an Accord, James Thompson finishing fourth with four wins in 1999 as the squad finished second in the team and manufacturer titles. 2000 saw Gabriele Tarquini and Tom Kristensen joined for a star 2000 line-up, the pair claiming three wins apiece as they finished behind Vauxhall and team champions Ford and their dominant Mondeo.

For BTC regulations, and MG ZS then became WSR’s weapon of choice between 2001-2006, the team debuting the car with Anthony Reid (200 runner-up) and Warren Hughes, were Reid won the team’s fifth of their six contested races. The duo continued in 2002 to finish second overall, before expanding to three cars with Irishman Colin Turkington – a pivotal name in the team’s future. Three wins went their way, before claimed the 2004 Independent driver’s championship thanks to Reid, the Scot then leaving the series.

2005 saw the team narrowed significantly with Rob Collard in a sole MG entry, claiming two wins before RAC sponsorship took over, Turkington returning from Vauxhall to finish third overall, the team finishing fourth before moving to BMW machinery, Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole claiming four wins between them, the former then finishing fourth in 2008 – claiming the Independent title as well as WSR winning the Indie team title also.

Then came 2009, and an emotional, hard-fought first overall title success came the way of Turkington and WSR, the Independent squad beating the giants of Vauxhall to the crown, narrowly missing out on team title glory. RAC backing left in 2010 however, Turkington even more shockingly left unable to race also, Rob Collard returning for a winless two seasons partnered by Andy Neate and then Nick Foster as the team name switched to eBay Motors, Collard finally giving WSR the winning feeling again with a Knockhill double in 2012 despite just missing out on Independent glory.